350 SBC to 400 SBC
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 760
Likes: 27
From: Farmersville Texas
350 SBC to 400 SBC
I've ordered a 400CI from BluePrint Engines to replace the GM 350 Crate engine already in the car (it was already in the car when I bought it). I purchased the fully dressed long block (carb down to oil pan), link below to the part #, specs and what it comes with.
https://blueprintengines.com/product...tor-bp4002ctc1
I have a 1980. It was an original 4spd manual car, but now has a Richmond 6spd manual mated to the GM 350 crate engine.
I'm pretty sure all my accessories will mate over, but I called BluePrint to confirm. They also expect they will as well. With that said, neither they nor I are experts on 1980 Corvettes. So, I'm reaching out to the many on this forum that are experts on late model C3's and engine swaps.
I'm going to shore up the drive line post swap. Due to volume, they are about 10 weeks out on delivering my engine. In the interim, I'm going to get prepared for its arrival. The BluePrint guy said I probably won't need to replace the fuel pump, but these are the kind of things I'm relying on the forum members for direction.
What supporting parts/accessories would be recommended by the members here to the most out of my new engine?
https://blueprintengines.com/product...tor-bp4002ctc1
I have a 1980. It was an original 4spd manual car, but now has a Richmond 6spd manual mated to the GM 350 crate engine.
I'm pretty sure all my accessories will mate over, but I called BluePrint to confirm. They also expect they will as well. With that said, neither they nor I are experts on 1980 Corvettes. So, I'm reaching out to the many on this forum that are experts on late model C3's and engine swaps.
I'm going to shore up the drive line post swap. Due to volume, they are about 10 weeks out on delivering my engine. In the interim, I'm going to get prepared for its arrival. The BluePrint guy said I probably won't need to replace the fuel pump, but these are the kind of things I'm relying on the forum members for direction.
What supporting parts/accessories would be recommended by the members here to the most out of my new engine?
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 1,213
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
While your at it, an aluminium rad and a programmable MSD ignition box? Also a 180*F thermostat and reuse the fuel pump, alternator, fan setup. A 1-3/4" drop base air cleaner and the tallest air filter you can fit under the hood.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
Likes: 657
From: Thunder Bay
Several potential issues come to mind:
- The new engine is externally balanced at the rear - you will need a new flywheel with the appropriate balance. You will need one anyway if your previous engine was not a one piece rear main seal
- The new engine has a passenger side dipstick. I believer the '80 originally came with a driver side dipstick. Not sure what you plan to use for an oil pan but might be an issue for you. Also I can't tell from the website whether the engine is actually supplied with the stick and tube, but if not, you will need them.
- The new engine is 'tapped for clutch linkage'. There are a couple of different locations for the hole for the clutch linkage. Need to make sure it is in the right spot.
- You may have hood clearance issues with the intake manifold supplied with the engine. Our cars are notoriously tight in that area.
This list is by no means complete, just those things that come to mind based on my personal experience.
- The new engine is externally balanced at the rear - you will need a new flywheel with the appropriate balance. You will need one anyway if your previous engine was not a one piece rear main seal
- The new engine has a passenger side dipstick. I believer the '80 originally came with a driver side dipstick. Not sure what you plan to use for an oil pan but might be an issue for you. Also I can't tell from the website whether the engine is actually supplied with the stick and tube, but if not, you will need them.
- The new engine is 'tapped for clutch linkage'. There are a couple of different locations for the hole for the clutch linkage. Need to make sure it is in the right spot.
- You may have hood clearance issues with the intake manifold supplied with the engine. Our cars are notoriously tight in that area.
This list is by no means complete, just those things that come to mind based on my personal experience.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 961
Likes: 275
From: Frederick MD
Personally I would consider a long block. As was mentioned intake clearance is pretty tight. Are you sure the oil pan they are providing will fit the C-3 chassis?
Might make more sense to pickup the intake, carb, and dizzy all separately
Might make more sense to pickup the intake, carb, and dizzy all separately
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 760
Likes: 27
From: Farmersville Texas
Several potential issues come to mind:
- The new engine is externally balanced at the rear - you will need a new flywheel with the appropriate balance. You will need one anyway if your previous engine was not a one piece rear main seal
- The new engine has a passenger side dipstick. I believer the '80 originally came with a driver side dipstick. Not sure what you plan to use for an oil pan but might be an issue for you. Also I can't tell from the website whether the engine is actually supplied with the stick and tube, but if not, you will need them.
- The new engine is 'tapped for clutch linkage'. There are a couple of different locations for the hole for the clutch linkage. Need to make sure it is in the right spot.
- You may have hood clearance issues with the intake manifold supplied with the engine. Our cars are notoriously tight in that area.
This list is by no means complete, just those things that come to mind based on my personal experience.
- The new engine is externally balanced at the rear - you will need a new flywheel with the appropriate balance. You will need one anyway if your previous engine was not a one piece rear main seal
- The new engine has a passenger side dipstick. I believer the '80 originally came with a driver side dipstick. Not sure what you plan to use for an oil pan but might be an issue for you. Also I can't tell from the website whether the engine is actually supplied with the stick and tube, but if not, you will need them.
- The new engine is 'tapped for clutch linkage'. There are a couple of different locations for the hole for the clutch linkage. Need to make sure it is in the right spot.
- You may have hood clearance issues with the intake manifold supplied with the engine. Our cars are notoriously tight in that area.
This list is by no means complete, just those things that come to mind based on my personal experience.
- My current crate engine is a one piece rear main seal
- The current crate engine has the dipstick on the passenger side as well. If need be, I should be able to use the oil pan on the current crate engine.
- Understood, I'm hoping that it's GM small block that the tap is in the same spot. I'll have to follow-up on that.
- I have an L88 hood rise grafted in the 1980 stock hood, so there's some more clearance. Hopefully it's enough, so I don't have to mess with the intake.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
flywheel. absolutely. blueprint site says internal front, external rear. 1 piece 350 flywheels are SLIGHTLY external balanced. stock 400 (2-piece) is HEAVILY external balanced. you have 10 week lead time. ask blueprint to provide you with the correct flywheel that they balance with the rotating assembly. if they say it is the same balance as 1-piece 350, ask them to get a new flywheel and balance it with the rotating assy anyway.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 760
Likes: 27
From: Farmersville Texas
flywheel. absolutely. blueprint site says internal front, external rear. 1 piece 350 flywheels are SLIGHTLY external balanced. stock 400 (2-piece) is HEAVILY external balanced. you have 10 week lead time. ask blueprint to provide you with the correct flywheel that they balance with the rotating assembly. if they say it is the same balance as 1-piece 350, ask them to get a new flywheel and balance it with the rotating assy anyway.
I will paste this on an email to them accordingly.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Intermediate
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 48
Likes: 6
From: North Shore Massachusetts
Small world...I too purchased the fully dressed 400 from BluePrint (order placed on 4/8, 10 week eta). I am mating it to the t56 that is currently in my 79, and the 400 will be replacing the current 350 (2 piece rms 350) w/ vortec heads and xe268 cam.
I worked with Josh on the BluePrint sales team and have their tech team on speed dial to make sure all my questions are answered
Good guidance provided by other members thus far, and here is my own (growing) list of supporting upgrades...
Reusing:
- Dewitts radiator/fans.
- Serpentine setup/accessories.
- Reverse flow waterpump.
- Starter (153 tooth).
- T56.
- Drop base air cleaner.
Replacing:
- Flywheel (1 piece rms).
- Clutch/slave/pilot (leaning towards McLeod rst).
- Motor mounts (short and wide style).
- Fuel pump (unknown age of current).
Have you chosen a clutch yet? Curious on what you’re leaning towards.
Also, I noticed that BluePrint increased their price from $5699 (what I paid on 4/8) to $6099 (current price in link). Hopefully you paid the lesser but if not, I’m happy to send you a screen shot of my invoice if you think it’ll help knock a few bucks back in your wallet.
Best of luck and looking forward to following this thread and your progress on the swap.
Cheers,
Chris
I worked with Josh on the BluePrint sales team and have their tech team on speed dial to make sure all my questions are answered
Good guidance provided by other members thus far, and here is my own (growing) list of supporting upgrades...
Reusing:
- Dewitts radiator/fans.
- Serpentine setup/accessories.
- Reverse flow waterpump.
- Starter (153 tooth).
- T56.
- Drop base air cleaner.
Replacing:
- Flywheel (1 piece rms).
- Clutch/slave/pilot (leaning towards McLeod rst).
- Motor mounts (short and wide style).
- Fuel pump (unknown age of current).
Have you chosen a clutch yet? Curious on what you’re leaning towards.
Also, I noticed that BluePrint increased their price from $5699 (what I paid on 4/8) to $6099 (current price in link). Hopefully you paid the lesser but if not, I’m happy to send you a screen shot of my invoice if you think it’ll help knock a few bucks back in your wallet.
Best of luck and looking forward to following this thread and your progress on the swap.
Cheers,
Chris
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 760
Likes: 27
From: Farmersville Texas
Small world...I too purchased the fully dressed 400 from BluePrint (order placed on 4/8, 10 week eta). I am mating it to the t56 that is currently in my 79, and the 400 will be replacing the current 350 (2 piece rms 350) w/ vortec heads and xe268 cam.
I worked with Josh on the BluePrint sales team and have their tech team on speed dial to make sure all my questions are answered
Good guidance provided by other members thus far, and here is my own (growing) list of supporting upgrades...
Reusing:
- Dewitts radiator/fans.
- Serpentine setup/accessories.
- Reverse flow waterpump.
- Starter (153 tooth).
- T56.
- Drop base air cleaner.
Replacing:
- Flywheel (1 piece rms).
- Clutch/slave/pilot (leaning towards McLeod rst).
- Motor mounts (short and wide style).
- Fuel pump (unknown age of current).
Have you chosen a clutch yet? Curious on what you’re leaning towards.
Also, I noticed that BluePrint increased their price from $5699 (what I paid on 4/8) to $6099 (current price in link). Hopefully you paid the lesser but if not, I’m happy to send you a screen shot of my invoice if you think it’ll help knock a few bucks back in your wallet.
Best of luck and looking forward to following this thread and your progress on the swap.
Cheers,
Chris
I worked with Josh on the BluePrint sales team and have their tech team on speed dial to make sure all my questions are answered
Good guidance provided by other members thus far, and here is my own (growing) list of supporting upgrades...
Reusing:
- Dewitts radiator/fans.
- Serpentine setup/accessories.
- Reverse flow waterpump.
- Starter (153 tooth).
- T56.
- Drop base air cleaner.
Replacing:
- Flywheel (1 piece rms).
- Clutch/slave/pilot (leaning towards McLeod rst).
- Motor mounts (short and wide style).
- Fuel pump (unknown age of current).
Have you chosen a clutch yet? Curious on what you’re leaning towards.
Also, I noticed that BluePrint increased their price from $5699 (what I paid on 4/8) to $6099 (current price in link). Hopefully you paid the lesser but if not, I’m happy to send you a screen shot of my invoice if you think it’ll help knock a few bucks back in your wallet.
Best of luck and looking forward to following this thread and your progress on the swap.
Cheers,
Chris
I was able to get mine in at the $5,699 as well.
Also Reusing:
- Serpentine setup/accessories.
- Reverse flow waterpump.
- Richmond 6spd
- Drop base air cleaner.
- McLeod clutch
Replacing
- I sent an email to BluePrint, response to derekderek's reply, regarding the flywheel used to balance at BluePrint. I should hear back today.
- Motor mounts - haven't thought about replacing the motor mounts. What are your thoughts on this?
- Thinking about the fuel pump. I need to go through the list, again, of the all the parts the previous owner replace. He performed a pretty thorough restoration.
- Thinking about an electric fan setup as well.
- Also thinking of moving to a full serpentine drive setup.
I have less than 1K miles on my current GM 350 crate engine. Hopefully, I can recover a few cost selling it after the fact.
Last edited by Brannon; Apr 21, 2021 at 08:41 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
CCol; 153 tooth flywheel? they sell 153 tooth 1 piece flywheels. they all say ext balance. for all we know, blueprint balances their 400 to the 350 1 piece flywheel. but you need to KNOW that. get in touch with blueprint and discuss it with them. https://www.summitracing.com/search/...-style/1-piece
Last edited by derekderek; Apr 21, 2021 at 10:15 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 760
Likes: 27
From: Farmersville Texas
CCol; 153 tooth flywheel? they sell 153 tooth 1 piece flywheels. they all say ext balance. for all we know, blueprint balances their 400 to the 350 1 piece flywheel. but you need to KNOW that. get in touch with blueprint and discuss it with them. https://www.summitracing.com/search/...-style/1-piece
I reached out to BluePrint regarding the flywheel. Here is how it posed my question "As I have an up to 10 week lead time, awaiting my BluePrint 400CI (BP4002CTC) to be built and delivered, I’m trying to get all my ducks in a row. I’d like to be plug and play when it arrives. I currently have an aftermarket GM performance 350CI crate engine in my restored 1980 Corvette. It’s mated to a Richmond 6spd manual. The current engine has a one piece rear main seal and the dipstick is on the passenger side. I posted a few questions on the Corvette forum in the C3 section seeking advice from those that might give direction to things I might not have thought of and prepared for regarding any additional parts needed. Attached is one response I received that I felt was important to ask. The advice I’m getting is to get the flywheel BluePrint used to balance with the rotating assembly (See attached screenshot). What is BluePrint’s advice in this matter" This is their response "Thank you for the information, I greatly appreciate it. We would we recommend a flywheel that is weighted for a one piece rear main seal. You can these recommendations on our website. The direct link to the recommendations is https://blueprintengines.com/product...tor-bp4002ctc1. If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out to us."
They keep saying I need a flywheel weighted for a one piece rear main seal. I already have a one piece rear main seal. Thoughts?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 760
Likes: 27
From: Farmersville Texas
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,554
Likes: 5,158
From: Chester VA
Scrolling down to the lower part of the webpage that their link directs you to, they have a listing of recommended parts, and it shows two different ring gear/flex plates, both for one-piece main seal applications. Is this the info you're looking for?:
https://blueprintengines.com/product...-sfi-bpp871006
https://blueprintengines.com/product...-sfi-bpp399173
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
it sounds like they are saying they balance this rotating assy to the one piece 350 flywheel and flex plate. it IS after all the only one that fits this crank. but i still would like to hear them say that in so many words... okay, i called blueprint. they said so in so many words. they balance this rotating assy with a STOCK chevy 1-piece 350 flywheel.
Last edited by derekderek; Apr 21, 2021 at 01:08 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 760
Likes: 27
From: Farmersville Texas
I'll see if I can get them to be more specific. With that said, as mine is already a one piece rear main seal, I shouldn't need theirs, if the above it true.....correct?
Intermediate
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 48
Likes: 6
From: North Shore Massachusetts
it sounds like they are saying they balance this rotating assy to the one piece 350 flywheel and flex plate. it IS after all the only one that fits this crank. but i still would like to hear them say that in so many words... okay, i called blueprint. they said so in so many words. they balance this rotating assy with a STOCK chevy 1-piece 350 flywheel.